Lakeland Fire Department News

Keeping you informed of what's new with the LFD.

The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) recently marked an important moment in the career of 7 of its newer members. Ceremonies were held for firefighters hired in January 2014 to mark a successful first year with the department and their transition from “Rookie” Firefighters to “Regular” Firefighters. These 7 firefighters successfully made it through LFD's rigorous hiring process, new hire orientation, and a yearlong probation period that includes multiple skills, physical abilities, and knowledge assessments. Firefighters Rinshed, Lobascio, Stephens, Forrester, Rice, Jackson, and Hubeck celebrated their transition from probationary to regular firefighters in the company of family, friends, and colleagues.

The ceremonies held January 26-28, 2015, marked the completion of the Personal Qualification Standards that the department uses to vet only the finest candidates. This probationary period is designed to ensure that new additions live up to the department's standards and are cut out for a difficult line of work in the fire service. LFD is experiencing rejuvenation in its workforce with these 7 young firefighters coming on board last year. These firefighters fill vacancies left by retirements and help meet staffing needs created by the department's new Fire Station 7, which became operational in early January 2015.

The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) recently marked an important moment in the career of 14 of its newer members. Ceremonies were held for firefighters hired in May 2013 to mark a successful first year with the department and their transition from “Rookie” Firefighters to “Regular” Firefighters.

These 14 firefighters successfully made it through LFD's rigorous hiring process, new hire orientation, and a yearlong probation period that includes multiple skills, physical abilities, and knowledge assessments. Firefighters Ritenour, Parente, Polk, Knoll, Vinzant, Murphy, Helms, Hayes, Kiddey, McBrayer, Baldwin, Dougherty, Woods, and Hendley celebrated their transition from probationary to regular firefighters in the company of family, friends, and colleagues.

The ceremonies held May 5-7, 2014, mark the completion of the Personal Qualification Standards that the department uses to vet only the finest candidates. This probationary period is designed to ensure that new additions live up to the department's standards and are cut out for a difficult line of work in the fire service

LFD is experiencing rejuvenation in its workforce with these 14 young firefighters coming onboard last year, 7 additional new firefighters hired in January of 2014, and the anticipated hiring of 12 more by the end of the year. The new hires to come will fill vacancies left by retirements and meet staffing needs for the department's much anticipated new Fire Station 7, which will be operational by December.

More photos from the event can be seen at the department's Facebook page here.